This article describes the sorption properties of cyclodextrin polymers (nanosponges; NS) with the pesticides 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (TCF), including an evaluation of its efficiency and a comparison with other materials, such as granulated activated carbon (GAC). NS-pesticide complexes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), UV–VIS, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This confirms the interactions of the guests with nanosponges and shows that the polymers have favorable sorption capacities for chlorinated aromatic guests. Our studies also show that the inclusion complex is predominantly favored for NS/CPA rather than those formed between TCF and NS due to the size of the adsorbate and steric effects. Sorption studies carried with repeated cycles demonstrate that NS polymers could be an improved technology for pollutant removal from aquatic environments, as they are very efficient and reusable materials. Our experiments and characterization by SEM, EDS, UV–VIS, and magnetization saturation (VSM) also show that NS is an optimal substrate for the deposition of magnetite nanoparticles, thus improving the usefulness and properties of the polymer, as the nanosponges could be retrieved from aqueous solution with a neodymium magnet without losing its efficiency as a pesticide sorbent.

There is substantial concern about critical environmental problems related to waste in production sectors such as textile, construction, and packaging. The materials ascribed to the sector’s unsustainability are primarily fabrics, plastic, and hazardous solvents, making developing new biobased materials imperative. As such, various strategies have been investigated to convert and recycle waste and give them commercial value via the manufacture of biobased materials. This review discusses the various types of raw materials as sources to develop new biobased materials that could promote the transition toward sustainability. According to the literature, the functional qualities of biobased materials are comparable to those of synthetic materials. Raw material sources such as biomass, derived from plant and animal-based waste, are attractive due to their low cost, abundance, and biodegradability. The manufacture of biomaterials, as well as their characterization and performance, are also discussed. Further, this review will offer a comprehensive view of the potential applicability and current commercial applications of the developed biobased materials in relevant areas such as packaging, construction, textile, and wastewater remediation. This could be a potential field of research to address the environmental challenges posed by the continuous growth of the global population.

This article describes the use of β-cyclodextrin-based carbonate nanosponges (NSs) decorated with superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles to study and investigate the potential removal of dinotefuran (DTF) from wastewater. The NS-DTF inclusion compound was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). The adsorption efficiency of NSs was evaluated as function of different contact times. The results confirmed that the NSs have a favourable sorption capacity for the chosen guest, as the polymers exhibited a maximum adsorption of 4.53 × 10⁻³ mmol/g for DTF. We also found that magnetic NSs show good reusability as they maintain their efficiency after eight adsorption and desorption cycles. Our studies and characterization by means of SEM, TEM, EDS, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV-VIS also show that NSs with magnetic properties are excellent tools for insecticide removal from aqueous environments.

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of β-cyclodextrin-based nano-sponges (NS) inclusion compounds (IC) with the anti-tumor drugs melphalan (MPH) and cytoxan (CYT), and the addition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto both systems, for the potential release of the drugs by means of laser irradiation. The NS-MPH and NS-CYT inclusion compounds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–Vis, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). Thus, the inclusion of MPH and CYT inside the cavities of NSs was confirmed. The association of AuNPs with the ICs was confirmed by SEM, EDS, TEM, and UV–Vis. Drug release studies using NSs synthesized with different molar ratios of β-cyclodextrin and diphenylcarbonate (1:4 and 1:8) demonstrated that the ability of NSs to entrap and release the drug molecules depends on the crosslinking between the cyclodextrin monomers. Finally, irradiation assays using a continuous laser of 532 nm showed that photothermal drug release of both MPH and CYT from the cavities of NSs via plasmonic heating of AuNPs is possible.

This work focuses on a systematic method to produce Ag, Cu, and Ag/Cu metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in situ assisted with ultrasound on cellulose paper. By tuning the concentration of AgNO₃ and CuSO₄ salt precursors and ultrasound time, combined with a fixed concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) as a reducing agent, it was possible to control the size, morphology, and polydispersity of the resulting MNPs on cellulose papers. Notably, high yield and low polydispersity of MNPs and bimetallic nanoparticles are achieved by increasing the sonication time on paper samples pre-treated with salt precursors before reduction with AA. Moreover, mechanical analysis on paper samples presenting well-dispersed and distributed MNPs showed slightly decreasing values of Young's modulus compared to neat papers. The strain at break is substantially improved in papers containing solely Ag or Cu MNPs. The latter suggests that the elastic/plastic transition and deformation of papers are tuned by cellulose and MNPs interfacial interaction, as indicated by mechanical analysis. The proposed method provides insights into each factor affecting the sonochemistry in situ synthesis of MNPs on cellulose papers. In addition, it offers a straightforward alternative to scale up the production of MNPs on paper, ensuring an eco-friendly method.

The rapid increase in industrialization and human population is leading to critical levels of environmental pollutants, such as agrochemicals or heavy metals, which affect the preservation and integrity of ecosystems, the accessibility to drinking water sources, and the quality of the air. As such, remediation of these issues demands strategies for implementing and designing novel technologies. In that regard, nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties that make them desirable candidates for the detection and remediation of environmental pollutants. The scope of this review is to provide an analysis of the available nanomaterials that are being used as an approach to detect and remediate hazardous residues, comprising systems such as noble metals, biosensors, cyclodextrin-based polymers, and graphene oxide nanocomposites, to name a few. Furthermore, this work discusses said nanomaterials in terms of their effectiveness, sustainability, and selectivity as a guideline for researchers wishing to indulge in this relevant study area.